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The Spartan Speaks

The Student News Site of Orono High School

The Spartan Speaks

The Student News Site of Orono High School

The Spartan Speaks

Police protocol prepares officers for school incidents

Police+protocol+prepares+officers+for+school+incidents

Police protocol for school shootings is safety first and is well planned before they approach the problem, according to a documentary on the Columbine shooting. According to The Huffington Post, the shooting in Littleton, Colo. showed the flaws in the police procedure on how to deal with school shootings.

In Littleton the procedure was for officers to spot the source of the gunshots and let everyone know. Then, wait for the SWAT team to show up. It took a total of 45 minutes to assemble the SWAT team and get ready to move in.
Since Columbine, the U.S. police forces go through a training called “active-shooter” to prepare for a similar situation in their own community.

The “active-shooter” training calls for responding officers to rush toward gunfire and step over bodies and bleeding victims, if necessary, to stop the gunman or the active shooter first. In North Carolina, active-shooter training became part of the state’s law enforcement academy curriculum in 2001 according to The Huffington Post.

According to Minnesota Public Radio news, there is no way to predict every emergency. However, having a strong plan that teachers and students are comfortable following is aimed at minimizing the impact of an attack, said Minnesota school officials on Monday.

According to the Orono Public Schools Emergency Plan protocol goes as follows:
If a person were to show a gun or start to shoot, 911 would be immediately called and a lockdown procedure would be issued. If possible, the next step would be to locate the gunshots and inform officers. When police arrive at the school, they would locate the shooter and take them down. When the coast is clear, police would evacuate the building for safety. If anyone had been injured, students, staff and police would be instructed to help them without putting themselves in danger.
The Orono Police Department protocol is not disclosed, but according to Officer Susan Schultz, “We are trained and we will respond as needed if there is an incident.”

Pete Makarov is the Sports Editor of The Spartan Speaks

 

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